Chayka is in a tough place:
1. He is capped out this season AND next so any transaction has to include adjustment to comply with both caps - this year's and next year's. Emil Andrae, a victim for next year's cap compliance, can explain it. They also have Merzlikins $4.4M cap hit coming off LTIR in December. They have Joshua $3.25M coming off probably next Sunday. Who knows about Domi? There is a minefield of cap issues.
2. We don't know if Matthews is going to re-sign. Between now & July 1, we're likely to find out. But what the GM might do now would be a more straightforward decision if he knew what Matthews was going to do. The problem is kind of circular because Matthews would probably like to evaluate where the team is at before he commits to an extension - on the assumption he might extend short term if something magical is going on. With the age of the roster, it is hard to expect he'll hang around long term.
I do not think they're a true Cup contender or that close so that should play into their decision and probably Matthews. Prognosis for Tavares and Tanev should also factor in. And what they might expect out of Danford, for example.
Assuming Tavares and Tanev will return, since OEL and Rielly are showing signs of having a pulse, I'd probably look at trying to find a right handed defensive dman if it looked like Danford needs more time (which he probably does).
Nashville traded a 2nd & 3rd for Lyubushkin this summer. He cleared waivers. Maybe they can get him for cheap with Nashville retaining some salary. I don't know the details so maybe he's really fallen off or out of shape. Whatever. Find a defensive dman for the #6 spot. Raddysh, Rielly & OEL are your offensive puck movers. McCabe, Tanev & defensive dman help the team 5 on 5 defense. You have Stecher as a 7th who can jump in against certain opponents. Rifai can go back to Marlies for depth or stick as an 8th while Blankenburg maybe moved or waived.
Attempting to get and sign someone like Simon Edvinsson requires major roster gymnastics even if they can find the assets to win that bidding. Rielly or someone would have to waive his no trade mid season to make some of the cap room and someone would have to be willing to eat that entire deal - which is a tall order.
We're only 11 games in. They're still shaking things out. They may improve collectively as they get more familiar with Hiller's system.
) patrolling the blue line, we couldn't always say that over the last 10 years.
